Benzothiazinones kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis by blocking arabinan synthesis

New drugs are required to counter the tuberculosis (TB) pandemic. Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of 1,3-benzothiazin-4-ones (BTZs), a new class of antimycobacterial agents that kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro, ex vivo, and in mouse models of TB. Using genetics and biochemistry, we identified the enzyme decaprenylphosphoryl-beta-d-ribose 2'-epimerase as a major BTZ target. Inhibition of this enzymatic activity abolishes the formation of decaprenylphosphoryl arabinose, a key precursor that is required for the synthesis of the cell-wall arabinans, thus provoking cell lysis and bacterial death. The most advanced compound, BTZ043, is a candidate for inclusion in combination therapies for both drug-sensitive and extensively drug-resistant TB

Investigation of Borosilicate Glasses with Simulated HLW Components and Determination of Their Chemical Durability

Received: 25.11.2020. Revised: 02.03.2021. Accepted: 03.03.2021. Available online: 04.03.2021.This article belongs to the PCEE-2020 Special Issue.The paper discusses the current status of the HLW vitrification technology applied at the radiochemical plant of the Mayak PA. Conceptual and technical solutions proposed to develop the technology of vitrification of various types of liquid HLW at the Mayak PA are presented. Compositions of borosilicate glasses with HLW components are described, temperatures of their melting and easy pouring are determined. Chemical durability parameters obtained for the borosilicate glasses are provided